COVID-19 Business Resources

Business hasn't stopped, and your Chamber hasn't either. We are working closely with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance, Small Business Administration and the Ohio Travel Association to advocate in your best interests. We are continually monitoring the impacts of the coronavirus on businesses and our county. We will be updating this site on a regular basis.

On Monday, April 27th, Governor DeWine explained the process of businesses reopening beginning May 1, 2020.

Testing & Tracing

There is a testing capacity plan in order to do more testing and create more swabs for test specimens.

Local health departments have been tracing close contacts through the COVID-19 outbreak.

A contact tracing workforce is being implemented in order to ramp up contact tracing, and offer more people to assist with this.

There are about 900 qualified volunteers so far to help with contact tracing.

Business Reopening in Ohio

Governor DeWine is moving forward with the reopening of businesses, while helping Ohioans get back to work and keeping everyone safe.

On May 1, 2020 medical procedures and operations will be able to continue again so long as the health procedures do not require overnight stay in hospital.

On May 1, 2020 dentists and veterinarians will be able to be open.

On May 4, 2020 manufacturing, distribution, and construction will be able to operate.

On May 4, 2020 general offices can open.

On May 12, 2020 consumer retail and services can open.

There has been an established protocol which must be followed by all businesses beginning on the date of opening. These 5 parts make up the protocol:

Governor DeWine announced the Responsible RestartOhio plan which aims to protect the health of employees and customers while supporting community efforts to control the spread of COVID-19, and responsibly getting back to work. A summary of the plan and reopening schedule is listed below.

May 1, 2020: Medically necessary procedures that do not require an overnight stay in a healthcare facility or do not require inpatient hospital admission and minimizes use of personal protective equipment may move forward. This includes regular doctor visits, well-care checks, well-baby visits, out-patient surgeries, imaging procedures, and diagnostic tests. Dental services and veterinary services may also proceed if a safe environment can be established.

May 4, 2020: Manufacturing, distribution, and construction businesses may reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees. Additionally, general office environments may reopen if they can also meet mandatory safety requirements.

May 12, 2020: Consumer, retail and services, may reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees.

All businesses must follow general safe business practices as they reopen. Those include requiring face coverings for all employees, and recommending them for clients and customers at all times; conducting daily health assessments or self-evaluations of employees; maintaining good hygiene and social distancing; cleaning and sanitizing workplaces; and limiting capacity to meet social distancing guidelines.

Schools and daycares, dine-in restaurants, beauty businesses, older adult daycare and senior centers, adult day support or vocational rehabilitation services in group settings, entertainment, recreation, and gyms are all ordered to remain closed due to their increased risk of COVID-19 exposure.

Because the danger of COVID-19 still exists, Ohio's Stay at Home order will remain in effect to encourage Ohioans to continue making reasonable, rational decisions about leaving home. Large gatherings of more than 10 people are still prohibited.

Ohioans can apply for unemployment benefits online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at unemployment.ohio.gov. It is also possible to file by phone at 877-644-6562 or TTY at 888- 642-8203, Monday through Friday 7AM to 7PM, Saturday 9AM to 5PM, and Sunday 9AM to 1PM. Employers with questions should email UCTech@jfs.ohio.gov.​

Ohio Restaurants Opening Dates

Outside Dining: Friday, May 15Inside Dining: Thursday, May 21

Governor Mike DeWine announced that Ohio restaurants will open outside dining Friday, May 15, and inside dining on Thursday, May 21. To see the list of guidelines, please refresh the Sector Specific Operating Requirements page using the link below. This page will be updated sometime on May 7th with those new guidelines. VIEW GUIDELINES HERE

Executive OrdersFind a list below of executive orders and updates from Gov. Mike DeWine, Ohio Department of Health, Champaign Health District and local responses to the COVID-19 outbreak that affect employers.

Forbids events and gatherings of 50 or more people in a single place at the same time at any confined indoor or outdoor space including bowling alleys, workout facilities, indoor trampoline facilities and waterparks, movie theaters and performance halls, public recreation centers, indoor sports facilities, auditoriums, stadiums, arenas, large conference rooms and meeting halls

SharedWork Ohio ProgramThe Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS) has the SharedWork Ohio Program, a voluntary layoff aversion program. It allows workers to remain employed and employers to retain trained staff during times of reduced business activity.

Ohio employers may apply if they meet the following criteria:

Have at least two affected employees that do not work on a seasonal, temporary or intermittent basis;

Are current on all Ohio unemployment insurance reporting, contributions, reimbursements, interest and penalties due;

Agree to the program requirements.

More information on SharedWork Ohio, including employer FAQ, can be found on their website.

TechCred ProgramThe TechCred Program can be utilized by Ohio employers to upskill their employees while they may be unable to perform their typical day-to-day duties. Many of these trainings can be completed online.

TechCred offers employers up to $2,000 in reimbursement for every technology-focused credential earned by an employee, up to $30,000 per employer per round. These technology-focused credentials take a year or less to complete and prepare current and future employees for the technology jobs Ohio employers need.

One-Time Liquor BuybackThe Ohio Department of Commerce will immediately begin offering a one-time liquor buyback option to support bars and restaurants. This will especially aid those establishments that have stocked up on high-proof liquor ahead of the St. Patrick's Day holiday for which they now have no use, due to their closure to in-house patrons.

Bars and restaurants wishing to take advantage of this opportunity should return their unopened, high-proof liquor products (obtained within the past 30 days) to the agency where they purchased the product. This opportunity is also extended to those with temporary (F2) permits for events scheduled between March 12 and April 6, 2020.

If a business has questions about this program, they should reach out directly to the Liquor Enterprise Service Center (LESC) at 1(877) 812-0013 or by emailing OhioLiquorInfo@Com.Ohio.Gov

Tax Payment Deadline Extension (Updated 3.20.20) Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that the Treasury Department has pushed back both the April 15, 2020 tax filing and payment deadlines by 90 days. This will give businesses and individuals additional time, potentially lessening cash-flow issues that many are facing.

Traditional extensions are still available for those needing more time to file a return. Ohio Chamber members should consult their accountants or tax preparers if they have any questions concerning this announcement.

BWC Delays Premiums To help businesses facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio BWC is announcing that unpaid insurance premium installment amounts due for March, April, and May for the current policy year can be deferred until June 1, 2020. BWC will consider the issue further as we approach June 1, 2020. BWC will not refund amounts to employers who have already paid some or all of their premiums that were scheduled to be paid during those months.Employers that wish to submit payments for March, April, and May are free to do so, but BWC will not lapse (cancel) coverage or assess penalties for amounts not paid because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Businesses Helping Theresa's Gingerbread House received its Pandemic license at both the Urbana and West Liberty locations. Please call now to reserve your child's spot, they are limited.Urbana: (937) 653-8006West Liberty: (937) 650-8006

Columbia GasColumbia Gas has announced it will voluntarily suspend all shutoffs due to nonpayment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes all residential, commercial and industrial customers and will remain in effect until further notice. In addition, Columbia Gas will offer its most flexible payment plans to customers who indicate either an impact or hardship as a result of COVID-19, and will suspend late payment charges until May 1. More information is available here.

Dayton Power & LightDP&L is implementing changes to ease the financial burden for customers facing hardships. Plus, business customers may take advantage of benefits in the federal CARES Act. See our latest updates at: www.dpandl.com/update

For residential customers, in addition to the suspension of disconnections already announced, the following customer payment relief actions are also in place for the duration of the State of Emergency.

DP&L is temporarily waiving customer reconnection fees, late payment fees, and service fees for credit and debit card payments.

The up-front security deposit for service connects is no longer required. If a customer's situation requires a deposit, it will be posted on the first bill statement.

To assist customers, DP&L will arrange flexible payment plans for past due balances.

To avoid the risk of face-to-face contact, DP&L is suspending in-person meter reading. If we cannot read your meter, we will estimate your usage, subject to reconciliation when we are able to read your meter.

DP&L is extending the winter reconnect policy through May 1. Eligible customers may pay no more than $175 to have service reconnected or maintained, including customers who have already used the policy during the 2019-2020 winter season.

Customers can perform nearly all customer service functions online and through DP&L’s automated voice phone system.

FacebookFacebook has announced the creation of a $100 million grant program to help 30,000 small businesses around the world. This includes cash grants and ad credits. More information can be found here.

JOBS

Lt. Governor Husted announced that the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation has developed a website specifically geared toward matching essential businesses with Ohioans who are able and willing to work as an essential employee during the COVID-19 crisis.

Both essential businesses and current job seekers can visit JobSearch.ohio.gov to post and search.

Small Business Relief

On April 7th, Governor DeWine announced the creation of the Office of Small Business Relief to identify ways to provide support to Ohio's small businesses. This office will be housed within the Ohio Development Services Agency.

The Office of Small Business Relief (OSBR) is focused on identifying and providing direct support to the state's nearly 950,000 small businesses to help during the current public health crisis and to position them for a span rebound. https://businesshelp.ohio.gov

To extend a helping hand to small businesses suffering from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation – in partnership with Vistaprint and a coalition of supporting companies, foundations, and philanthropic donors – is working to provide financial relief through the Save Small Business Fund. This fund is a key pillar of the U.S. Chamber’s Save Small Business Initiative.

The Fund is providing $5,000 in short-term relief to employers across the United States, including chambers of commerce. These one-time supplemental cash grants are for businesses that have between three and 20 employees and operate in an economically vulnerable community (you can search eligibility by zip code here).

The grant application will go live on Monday, April 20 at 3:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM CT. To learn more about the Save Small Business Fund and to apply for a grant, visit savesmallbusiness.com.

Support Local Ohio

Governor DeWine announced that Ohio is launching a website to encourage Ohioans to continue to support local retailers and restaurants by shopping online, choosing local, ordering carryout from restaurants, and taking virtual tours of well-known attractions around the state.

There are currently more than 250 local restaurants, shops, and virtual activities being featured online. To find a local shop or restaurant to support, or to have your business featured, go to Ohio.org/SupportLocalOhio.

Ohio Travel Association Webinar: Guest speaker Matt MacLaren, Director of TourismOhio, will provide an industry update and information on TourismOhio's new Support Local Ohio campaign. The Support Local Campaign encourages consumer spending at Ohio tourism businesses including take out from restaurants, online orders from local retailers, and VR and e-learning with Ohio attractions. During this webinar, you'll learn more about the message and how your businesses can be involved.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh1EJuUB9oY&t=18s

If you have medical supplies or equipment to donate, please provide us details on what you are offering.

If you are a private company that wants to produce a product related to the COVID response – email nbeoc@max.gov.

If you are a hospital and other companies in need of medical supplies, contact your state Department of Public Health and/or Emergency Management

For non-medical supplies, services or equipment, if you are interested in doing business with FEMA, visit our Industry Liaison Program.

This is a request from Jim Freeman, the director of the Champaign County Emergency Management Agency:The EMA is searching for any local business who fit test employee's N-95 masks in-house and have the testing solution the EMA could buy/borrow from them. The stuff is out of stock with every supplier we know of.

WHAT IS PATH FORWARD? America is beginning to consider what it will take to restart the economy after a lengthy shutdown. It’s increasingly clear that the most likely approach is a gradual, phased reopening linked to regional conditions. But any effort to bring millions of people back to work comes with lots of big, complicated questions.

Path Forward, a new program from the U.S. Chamber Foundation, is designed to help business and community leaders find the answers they need to develop a responsible reopening strategy.

When will it be safe to reopen? How do we protect employees and customers from the coronavirus? Where will my staff get COVID-19 tests? Masks? Gloves? Who’s going to pay for all this? Each episode features conversations between the U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Suzanne Clark and experts with practical recommendations for businesses of all sizes.

Path Forward events take place at 3 p.m. EST every Monday and Thursday. Register Now.If you can’t attend, you’ll find a recording of each episode on the Foundation’s website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.